The Lilacs Preview Debut Album ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ With New Single ‘Girl Behind The Bar’

After steadily building a grassroots following over the past few years, Wigan’s The Lilacs have confirmed details of their debut album Keeping Up With The Joneses, slated to drop on October 2 via Manchester indie label Scruff of the Neck. To mark the announcement, they’ve also dropped the first single from the LP, “Girl Behind The Bar“.

Keeping Up With The Joneses finds The Lilacs expanding their sound, with a clearer sense of development in their songwriting and musicianship, shaped in part by extensive touring. The record is said to continue their focus on straightforward, relatable coming-of-age themes that defined their early hits.

That same spirit runs right through “Girl Behind The Bar,” a tight, hook-heavy tune built around a classic night-out scenario: Mates in the pub, tunes playing on the jukebox, when the girl serving behind the bar catches your eye.

Vocalist and guitarist Ollie Anglesea says the track was written in the afterglow of the band’s 2025 Isle of Wight Festival appearance: “’Girl Behind the Bar’ was the first song I wrote shortly after coming back from the Isle of Wight Festival in 2025, so as you can imagine, it’s filled with nothing but good vibes! I think this release really sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s direct, it’s in your face, and I’m certain this will become a fan favourite.”

As with the rest of Keeping Up With The Joneses, “Girl Behind The Bar” was produced by Joe Cross (Courteeners, Hurts) and recorded across sessions in Manchester and Paris. The single is one of eight new tracks on the album, which is also completed by newly recorded versions of fan favourites and live staples “Grace” and “Vicarage Road”.

Keeping Up With The Joneses is available to pre-order now. The band’s official store offers a CD, cream vinyl, and signed lilac galaxy vinyl with alternate black artwork, alongside a new bucket hat. The first 500 physical orders will also receive a signed art print. Select indie retailers will carry an exclusive red cornetto vinyl edition, complete with signed obi strip and alternate red artwork.

Hailing from Wigan, The Lilacs have been steadily growing a solid fan base since their early releases in 2019 with singles, EPs, and a nonstop live calendar that’s seen them perform at festivals and open for big names such as The Lathums and Lottery Winners. All of this has helped them secure increasingly larger headline shows, including a sold-out night at a 2,700-capacity venue in Manchester.

It’s been a storied journey with some real highs and devastating lows, with guitarist Sam Birchall recently given the all-clear after enduring a year of cancer treatment, which was documented by both ITV and the BBC.

The band is currently on their headline tour, which will be immediately followed by an increasing number of outdoor shows and major festival performances this summer, including their debut at Leeds Festival. All dates are provided below, and remaining tickets are available HERE.